Loose-leaf binder.



E. H. ELDER.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER. APPLICATION FILED r55 8. m5.

1,165,766. Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

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EDWARD H. ELDER, OF CHICOPEE FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL BLANK BOOK COMPANY, 03? HOLYOKE, 1VIAS$ACHUSET'IS, A VOLUNTARY TRUST ASSOCIATION OF COPARTNERSHIP HAVING AS TRUSTEES J. TOWNE, F. B. TO'WNE, E. S. TOW'NE, IVI. TOWNE, AND F. W. WILSON.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Application filed February 8, 1915.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD Pl. ELDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Chicopee Falls, county of Hampden, State of llilassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Loose-Leaf Binders; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, andeXact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in loose leaf binders and relates more particularly to loose leaf binders of the ring type, and the primary object of the invention is to provide improved means for both connecting and tensioning the leaves to which the prong sections are connected.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view of the invention, the prongs being in closed position; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view, the prongs being in closed position; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 except that the prongs are part way open; Fig. lis a section on the line 14 of Fig. 1; and Fig. is a similar view, but showing the plates or leaves in the same horizontal plane.

In accordance with the present invention the two leaves or members I carry the usual prongs Projecting from the leaves or members 1 are the usual lips 3 which form hinge connections for said leaves.

The present invention pertains particularly to a novel form of spring for connecting and tensioning the prong carrying members 1, and this spring comprises laterally bowed portions 6 terminating in right angular ends 7 which latter project through openings 8 provided for their reception in the members 1. Theseopenings 8 are oppositely disposed in pairs, andare out within the members 1 at suitable locations interme- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

Serial No. 6,758.

diate the side edges of the members, and there may be as many pairs of these openings as desired, and, of course, there will be as many of the spring elements as there are distinctive pairs of these openings.

The bowed portions 6 extend beneath the members 1 in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of such members, and the latter are always held at more or less tension by these spring elements. When the prongs are part way open and the leaves in the position shown at Fig. 5 the bow portions 6 will straighten out somewhat as shown at Fig. 3, and will. bow downwardly a trifle as shown at Fig. 5, this being the position of the parts when the prong carrying members are in alinement.

hat is claimed is:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a pair of prong carrying members pivoted together at their inner side edges, and clasps whose main body portions are bowed laterally to form extensible and contractible spring portions and whose ends are bent in planes substantially at right angles to the plane of the body of the spring and are secured to said members athwart the latter through openings formed therein at locations intermediate the side edges thereof.

2. In combination with a pair of prong carrying members pivoted together at their inner side edges, springs having main body portions formed into lateral bows that are substantially parallel with said members, the ends of said springs being secured within openings in the members.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDW'ARD H. ELDER. Witnesses:

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

